DIY Crating: Protect your LTL Freight for Less than $100

When you transport your freight using LTL shipping, it will be grouped with other LTL (less-than-truckload) shipments and will be unloaded and reloaded at a freight terminal before it makes it to its destination. An improperly packaged shipment may cause delays and unnecessary damage. While freight insurance can be purchased to help cover the cost of damages, it’s best to be proactive by packing your freight correctly. Crating provides the highest level of protection against damage and loss.

While FreightCenter itself doesn’t offer crating services, we work with professional crating companies such as You Crate. You Crate offers excellent crating services for a reasonable cost. They have different sized containers that are easy and fast to assemble. Best of all the crates are reusable and returnable.

Don’t forget to include your crate, as well as any other packaging in the final weight and dimensions to ensure your freight quote is correct.

6 Steps to DIY Crating

If having your shipment crated is a must, but you don’t want to spend the extra money for a professional service, follow these steps to build your own crate for your shipment for less than $100.

Keep in mind you will need access to the following tools: power drill, chop saw, and table saw.

1. Gather the following materials: 2x4s, one 4x4, half-inch plywood, half-inch foam insulator sheet, and 2.5 inch screws. Note: the amount of materials you need depend on the size of the crate you need.

2. Gather the dimensions of the item you are shipping. Remember to account for the half-inch thick foam on all sides.

3. Start with the crate base. If your shipment is heavy and needs a forklift, make your base a pallet. Build risers as part of the base using the 4x4s on either end. Make sure the spacing is at least 3.5 inches off the ground. From your measurements cut the plywood to size, and then fully frame the base with 2x4s securing them with screws. Cut two 4x4s and attach to the longer of sides of your base. Flip it over and add the foam to the top and secure with more screws in each corner.

4. Setting your shipment inside your base will help you create the sides. It is also easier to put your sides into two categories, sides A and sides B. Sides A will be shorter than the base and sides B will be as long as the base so that there is overlap when you screw the sides together. Cut your plywood and frame with 2x4s. On the other side attach your half inch thick foam.

5. Attach sides A to the base and measure the size for sides B, accounting for the overlap. If you have clamps use them to hold the sides as you screw them in. For easy disassembly, mark the screws that need to be removed with a marker.

6. Lastly, cut the foam so it fits into the top. If you have done everything correctly, then the foam should be flush with the top of the crate. Cut the plywood so it fits the entire top and screw down.

And you’re done! You now have your very own reusable crate.

How to Manage the Cost of Shipping Freight

FreightCenter.com polled random freight users asking them the reasons they decide not to book a shipment with a freight company.  The top two answers were 1. I was not ready to ship my item and 2. The cost to ship my item was too high.  Our entire operation is designed to find you the best shipping prices available, and we do!  For a first time shipper understanding how to manage the cost of shipping can be difficult.  Here are some tips for making sure that you get the best and most accurate price available.
1. Know your destination and pick up locations.
Locations with a lift gate, forklift or loading dock can save you money.  A general rule of thumb is the less time and energy it takes the freight shipper, the less costs you'll pay for your shipment.  Another element that effects costs is whether your shipping to a residence or a corporation.  Some neighborhoods don't allow large service trucks to drop off freight, thus creating an additional charge.  A freight agent can't quote you accurately unless you are able to deliver this information.  Customer complaints could easily be turned into customer savings by understanding your pick up and drop off locations.

2.  Know your weight and dimensions.
We operate in the world of freight.  Although we do have numerous partners that provide moving services.  Choosing transportation via freight requires a little homework on your part.  It's very important to know your weight AFTER packaging, as well as the exact dimensions of your items AFTER packaging.  We provide quotes for your shipment based on the the weight and dimensions you provide us.  To avoid a rebill accuracy is important!

3.  We judge a book by it's cover....packaging matters!
Packaging your items the correct way is vital to ensure your items get to their location safely and on time.  Did you also know it can save you money?  Items should be crated and palletized, as well as packed with extra cushioning for more fragile items like furniture.  Please visit our packaging blog to find additional freight packaging tips.

4.  Watch your add-ons.
Make sure that you're not signing up for services that you don't need.  Overnight shipping or guaranteed shipping, while convenient can be more costly.  Negotiate your shipping price well in advance and make sure that your items are ready to go on the day you choose.


5.  Give your broker as much information as possible.
Your freight broker is able to help you based on your specific needs.  Have questions, just call! The more information that you give him/her, the best price they will be able to offer you.  Let's say you are shipping several small packages to various locations in the same city.  Instead of having the freight company drop off your individual packages, it may be in your  best interest to drop off your freight in one location and then use a parcel shipper to distribute your items.  Logistics is what we do, whether it's a combination of LTL and truckload or rail, air, or ocean, let us find the best combination for your shipment.

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